This is an online website. The different categories of discussion areas are called 'forums'. This website along with most others has a good number of forums covering a wide range of topics.
Like most other websites we get the service for free so we don't get to choose the way a website operates - that's solely down to the owner who is entitled to do whatever she or he wishes. Registered members of websites are free to use whatever forums they wish but always following the owner's rules. That seems fair.
The way that forums are used is down to their contributing members. The more contributing members the more likely will be the range of subjects discussed and the views presented. Some threads will be about subjects where specialised knowledge, understanding or experience are important. Others will be 'chatty' with few serious subjects raised for discussion. The forum structure of this website allows everyone to post on just about any subject they choose.
All that seems pretty straightforward I'd hope and hardly needed me to point any of it out. But then we have members grumbling about this or that concerning what others write, the way others present their views etc. and even saying what they think the website owner should be doing. I think that last point is a little impertinent.
What I find most odd, however, is the way that members enter a thread and then grumble because the thread topic is hotly debated. If you don't like the heat, stay out of the kitchen seems logical. Nobody is forced to join in a thread discussion or debate.
To those who say they come to learn I say that's fine but do you expect that others should be there just to cater for your wants? It's a process that works best when all the members involved are contributing something, even if it's just a question to maintain momentum. Any website may, or may not, be one primarily for teaching its members and where questioning or debate is discouraged or simply not allowed. Some owners treat their website as a place for expressing their personal views, where only members of a similar outlook are allowed to post in threads. That's the prerogative of any owner; members don't have rights, they enjoy privileges.
This website's not structured in a prescriptive way and if it were I'd be one of the first to leave.
Like most other websites we get the service for free so we don't get to choose the way a website operates - that's solely down to the owner who is entitled to do whatever she or he wishes. Registered members of websites are free to use whatever forums they wish but always following the owner's rules. That seems fair.
The way that forums are used is down to their contributing members. The more contributing members the more likely will be the range of subjects discussed and the views presented. Some threads will be about subjects where specialised knowledge, understanding or experience are important. Others will be 'chatty' with few serious subjects raised for discussion. The forum structure of this website allows everyone to post on just about any subject they choose.
All that seems pretty straightforward I'd hope and hardly needed me to point any of it out. But then we have members grumbling about this or that concerning what others write, the way others present their views etc. and even saying what they think the website owner should be doing. I think that last point is a little impertinent.
What I find most odd, however, is the way that members enter a thread and then grumble because the thread topic is hotly debated. If you don't like the heat, stay out of the kitchen seems logical. Nobody is forced to join in a thread discussion or debate.
To those who say they come to learn I say that's fine but do you expect that others should be there just to cater for your wants? It's a process that works best when all the members involved are contributing something, even if it's just a question to maintain momentum. Any website may, or may not, be one primarily for teaching its members and where questioning or debate is discouraged or simply not allowed. Some owners treat their website as a place for expressing their personal views, where only members of a similar outlook are allowed to post in threads. That's the prerogative of any owner; members don't have rights, they enjoy privileges.
This website's not structured in a prescriptive way and if it were I'd be one of the first to leave.
